Crime Statistics
B U R E A U
O F
C R I M E
S T A T I S T I C S
A N D
R E S E A R C H
CRIME AND JUSTICE
Bulletin
Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
Number 54
February 2001
What Causes Crime?
Don Weatherburn
It is difficult to find a succinct, broad and non-technical discussion of the causes of crime. This bulletin provides a brief overview, in simple terms, of what we know about those causes. After presenting some basic facts about crime, the bulletin is divided into three main sections. The first looks at the factors which makes some individuals more likely to become involved in crime than others. The second looks at the factors which make some places (neighbourhoods, cities) more crime-prone than others. The third looks at the factors which make crime rates rise and fall over time. The conclusion of the bulletin highlights both the multiplicity of factors which influence crime and the need for a wide range of strategies in preventing it.
INTRODUCTION
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research is often asked for information on the causes of crime. This is a complex topic and it is difficult to obtain a succinct, broad and non-technical discussion of it from any published source. Indeed, some criminologists claim there are no causes of crime, at least as the term 'cause' is normally understood. Whatever the merits of this view there is little purpose to be served in exploring it at length when the task at hand is simply to provide basic information about crime to people who have only a passing acquaintance with criminological research and theory. The purpose of this bulletin is to give a brief overview in simple terms of what we know about the causes of crime. Inevitably the information presented here will tend to oversimplify the issues involved. Readers interested in a deeper understanding of crime are urged to read the material referred to throughout the discussion which follows. The
O F
C R I M E
S T A T I S T I C S
A N D
R E S E A R C H
CRIME AND JUSTICE
Bulletin
Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
Number 54
February 2001
What Causes Crime?
Don Weatherburn
It is difficult to find a succinct, broad and non-technical discussion of the causes of crime. This bulletin provides a brief overview, in simple terms, of what we know about those causes. After presenting some basic facts about crime, the bulletin is divided into three main sections. The first looks at the factors which makes some individuals more likely to become involved in crime than others. The second looks at the factors which make some places (neighbourhoods, cities) more crime-prone than others. The third looks at the factors which make crime rates rise and fall over time. The conclusion of the bulletin highlights both the multiplicity of factors which influence crime and the need for a wide range of strategies in preventing it.
INTRODUCTION
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research is often asked for information on the causes of crime. This is a complex topic and it is difficult to obtain a succinct, broad and non-technical discussion of it from any published source. Indeed, some criminologists claim there are no causes of crime, at least as the term 'cause' is normally understood. Whatever the merits of this view there is little purpose to be served in exploring it at length when the task at hand is simply to provide basic information about crime to people who have only a passing acquaintance with criminological research and theory. The purpose of this bulletin is to give a brief overview in simple terms of what we know about the causes of crime. Inevitably the information presented here will tend to oversimplify the issues involved. Readers interested in a deeper understanding of crime are urged to read the material referred to throughout the discussion which follows. The